Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Really enjoyed it. Way outside my normal listening and will listen again.
Ok, hard to rate an album like this. On one hand, it's really long and really repetitive. But on the other hand, it's pleasant enough and I'm clearly not accustomed to listening to things like this. So, how do I rate it? Here's a 3 and we can move on.
Beautiful. Only losing a star as it started to feel a bit samey over the full length.
It's perfectly OK noodling, but it's very repetitive, and very, very long. It wore out it's welcome after about 30 minutes in, which is not even half way through. It's not bad as such, just uninteresting and absolutely never going to cross my mind again.
I absolutely appreciate the sound and feel of this whole album. A quote for Baaba Maal sums up my listening experience pretty well, although with a very Western experience I bet I’m missing a ton when I listen with my own ears…maybe not in some ways? “The spirit of the kora and the ngoni are different from the talking drum and the balafon, or the sabar and the djembe. The kora and ngoni are closer to human beings, because they are made from things that had life. The talking drum, the balafon, and the sabar are made from wood, and when you listen to them your mind goes out into the forest. When you make music and write songs, you have to know about the messages. From the messages, you know what the instruments are and how to put them together underneath the lyrics."
I couldn't shake the lens of 'listenability' -- this felt like a coffee or beer that I can appreciate and respect but I'm not going to order it.
Bastante rollo. Pero me ha gustado una canción, Kettodee. Así que se libra del 1.
This great, even if a bit too long
Nice background music for working in Photoshop, but ... way too long. wore out its welcome after the album's titular song.
Lame
Feels like I'm in some tribe. It's been a long day of hunting and exploring the unknown grounds, the fire is burning strong, a goat has been captured for dinner and the evening sun is shining. Life is good. 3.5
Haven’t listened to this before. Won’t listen to it again. But glad I did this time. Just not for me.
Finally something different, after 2 weeks of stuff I pretty much already owned, we get into something that I wouldn't normally stumbleupon. This was so relaxing, just a peaceful vibe. Stuff like this is why I signed up for this
Interesting but hard to connect to. The sparse instrumentals don't really give me a ton to latch onto especially when I can't understand the lyrics.
Type of stuff I’m here for - never heard of this before and really liked it.
Really good album.
Fantastic. Great to just throw on and vibe. I only wish I could speak Pulaar so I could appreciate that gawlo storytelling.
Relaxed African music with beautiful and catchy rhythms.
NIN Ghosts I-IV, call to prayer edition
Just an absolute pleasure to listen to. The tones the textures. The way he can convey a feeling in a song despite not knowing the meaning behind the lyrics… just gorgeous gorgeous music and this is exactly the kind of thing I want to be shown more of on this list.
Despite the language barrier, this is definitely a vibe.
Unusual and actually pretty enjoyable. Wouldn’t play it on rotation but interesting enough to warrant a full listen
It’s always interesting when you get handed something that’s well outside your usual musical sphere however the album feels overly long - probably because by the end of the second track it becomes very similar sounding (to my ears at least). Glad to have listened to it but it’s not for me.
I didn't know I'd be a fan of West African music until I discovered it on my journey through this list. Like the others I've listened too, I didn't understood a word but enjoyed every minute.
I don’t mind this one, definitely interesting, although it does tent to feel a bit repetitive as far as rhythms and style. I probably would get more out of ut if it weren’t for the language barrier.
Similar to the Songhoy Blues album, but I didn't really enjoy this one as much.
This is a fine album. It was good background music while working. I probably won’t be circling back to this anytime soon but a pleasant listen.
pleased with something different on this list. i was slightly falling asleep for it but the vocal stye reminded me of indian classical singing which was nostalgic. i loved the xylophones and instrumental arrangements overall.
Quite underwhelming, but I guess this roll of Senegalese music is too un-rockified for my expectations.
я уснул. Это может быть и хорошо и плохо алкоальбом: ну вот точно последний виски кола
Как и большинство народной-фолк-ворлд музыки - репетативная, мантровая, долгая. Это изливание души, для нас, белых людей, от них, чёрных людей. Мы их не понимаем до конца. Настолько, что альбом и не хотели выпускать изначально. А потом выпустили - и оказалось, что это круто, исторично, с памятью. Потом уже у Баабы Мала была "международная" карьера, сотрудничества с Брайаном Ино и Mumford & Sons. Но сейчас это опять что-то на уровне этнографии, может быть, этнофутуристики.
Surprised this is in the generator, really good. Had some saved from this already actually
Something new - Senegalese folk music. There’s a beauty and calmness here…the musicians move at their own pace and play things as long as they’d like. There are some wonderful guitar lines that again have a soothing calmness to it. Interesting listen, but also somewhat repetitive and a little overlong - making it an enjoyable album but not a top rated one for me.
Enjoyed it! Not my style of music but I can appreciate it🩷
I didnt like the vocals, music was ok.
Today’s album is another that I’d never come across before. I had a drive into the office today so had music playing for the drive, and I found this to be really calming. I had the thought that it would likely be excellent with headphones, sat upright on a cushion and eyes closed. I like this album.
Enjoyable songs, I think I would actually revisit this if I was feeling the vibe. Low 3.
Did not enjoy the vocal style of this
Bouncy and exuberant was a nice background listen to clean to, no idea what it said just vibes lol
I dug the meditative mood on a lot of these tracks. I always appreciate some bird noises as well. The guitar work is awesome throughout the album, but the singer's voice gets pretty exhausting pretty quick, especially for such a long album.
Albums like these remind me of the main purpose of this app/book. It's music people should experience to expand their world view since music is a huge part of most cultures. It's not necessarily about sharing popular music. I enjoyed this album with that in mind, it's a window into another part of the world. I found myself trying to kind of figure out the language, it seems like double vowels are used for long sounds vs single vowels for short. In English we kind of just guess with some rules. It also seems like he just adds syllables in between words to make them flow better. Thinking about these things separate from the actual music is not integral to ratings but I think it's what this book is trying to do. 7/10
This album sounded like a warm spring day :). I wish have stars were a thing bc this would’ve gotten a 3.5
Not my style, doesn't mean it's bad but just really couldn't get into it.
As our second album from West Africa featuring guitar centric music, I prefer the other one to this, but can still appreciate it on some level. Fav Songs: Djam Leelii Ko Wone Mayo
"Djam Leelii" is a collaborative album by Senegalese musicians Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck, released in 1989. Spanning a fusion of traditional Senegalese music with modern elements, the album stands as a significant piece in the world music landscape. Let's delve into its various aspects, assessing its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, as well as outlining its pros and cons. ### Lyrics: The lyrics in "Djam Leelii" are primarily sung in the Pulaar language, reflecting the cultural roots of both artists. The themes explored in the lyrics range from love and longing to societal issues and cultural pride. The poetic nature of the lyrics adds depth to the music, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the rich storytelling tradition of West Africa. ### Music: The music in "Djam Leelii" is a mesmerizing blend of traditional Senegalese sounds with contemporary influences. Baaba Maal's soaring vocals intertwine with Mansour Seck's masterful guitar work, creating a tapestry of sound that is both vibrant and soul-stirring. The use of traditional instruments such as the hoddu (a traditional guitar-like instrument) alongside modern production techniques gives the music a timeless quality. ### Production: The production quality of "Djam Leelii" is top-notch, thanks to the collaboration between Baaba Maal, Mansour Seck, and the talented team of producers involved in the project. The album strikes a perfect balance between preserving the authenticity of traditional Senegalese music while infusing it with contemporary flair. The seamless integration of various musical elements showcases the skillful craftsmanship of both artists and producers alike. ### Themes: "Djam Leelii" explores a myriad of themes, including love, spirituality, and the socio-political landscape of Senegal. Through their music, Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck shed light on the beauty and complexity of Senegalese culture, celebrating its rich heritage while also addressing pressing issues facing their society. The album serves as a cultural artifact, offering listeners a glimpse into the heart and soul of West Africa. ### Influence: "Djam Leelii" has had a significant influence on the world music scene, inspiring countless artists and musicians across the globe. Its unique fusion of traditional Senegalese music with modern sensibilities has paved the way for a new generation of musicians seeking to explore and celebrate their cultural roots. Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck's collaboration remains a landmark achievement in the realm of world music, continuing to resonate with audiences worldwide. ### Pros: 1. Authentic representation of Senegalese music and culture. 2. Masterful musicianship displayed by Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck. 3. Seamless fusion of traditional and modern musical elements. 4. Poetic lyricism that explores a wide range of themes. 5. High-quality production that enhances the listening experience. 6. Lasting influence on the world music landscape. ### Cons: 1. Limited accessibility for those unfamiliar with West African music. 2. Some listeners may find the language barrier challenging. 3. Certain tracks may feel repetitive to listeners not accustomed to the genre. 4. The album's runtime may be considered too short by some listeners. In conclusion, "Djam Leelii" stands as a masterpiece of world music, showcasing the talents of Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck while offering listeners a captivating journey through the sounds and stories of Senegal. With its poetic lyricism, infectious rhythms, and timeless appeal, the album continues to captivate audiences and inspire musicians around the world.
4.5
Unter der Rubrik Weltmusik sicherlich hörenswert, ist nicht meine Musik
Took a few tracks to get into it. But once i was in I found a real appreciation for this album! 3.3
A very long project. The instrumentals were mostly interesting, but at times they were repetitive. The vocals were good, but unfortunately I couldn't understand a word of it.
Nice, chill album. Maybe runs a bit too long, but the twinkly guitar and kora were hypnotic
cool
No. Just no
Eh
I went through a range of emotions in this. Initially intrigued.. the guitar playing is relaxing. Then bored because the songs all seem to blend together. Finally irritated because the vocals are annoying, and it's a very long album. If an album is irritating by the end then it's probably gotta be 1*
Love the loopy background guitar in Loodo. Djam Leelii is a really awesome, spacious jam. Wide open atmosphere, but the vocal layering gave me shivers at the 3 minute mark, and the guitars have such nice texture to them. The weird thing is that I have certainly heard Daande Lenol somewhere before; I think probably in a Nicolas Jaar DJ mix. Loved it in the original context and am loving it even more now. This is an album for which I don't have too many specific words. But I absolutely loved it start to finish. I was hesitant at first, but the production is so beautiful throughout and I found several of the songs to be transformative in quality. In particular, Daande Lenol is a standout to me. I love how the plucked guitar interleaves with the bell rhythms in a spaced out atmosphere. This was quite different from where I usually spend my time, and I'm glad for the experience. I'll listen again in the morning, but right now it sits at a high 4 for me.
Broke this up into two listens. Interesting album, so many sounds. None of which are English. The song that the album is named after seems to be the most well produced song in my opinion. Overall not a terrible album to listen to but not sure I'll revisit it. 2.5 stars for me.
A pleasant sounding, but repetitive album. The guitar players aren't the most precise players by any means, but they had plenty of good riffs throughout the album. This has to be my favorite Senegalese album of all time.
Some sweet spiriual sounding music with a little nice guitar sprinkled in. This was exactly the type of album that I wanted to start my day off, very calming and refreshing. Would do Ayuhuasca and listen to this album again.
I've had this on in the background while working and it's pleasant enough. Not sure if I needed over an hour of the yelling but the instrumentals were great. I especially liked the percussion on some of the songs towards the end. Middling 3.
Another world music album. Long songs, fine for the experience.
What the fuck is this?! This was a little treat. I sometimes find myself enjoying instrumental works or music with lyrics that aren't the focus either because they are washed out or in this case a foreign language. I would love to know the translated lyrics to this album and I briefly tried to find them before I gave up, but sometimes the mood the music evokes is worth not knowing. I loved all the instrumentation on this album. I see it was recorded in 1984 but it wasn't released until 1989. I wonder why it took 5 years to release? The music sounds both very old and very modern at the same time. The fusion of the modern guitar combined with Baaba Maal's singing which sounds very Arabian is very soothing and interesting (not sure what language most of this is... I thought I may have heard some French but it may be a mixture?). Without being able to focus on the meaning of the lyrics, this is a very meditative album. It also displays a wide range of moods, sometimes happy, sometimes not so happy, sometimes upbeat, sometimes droning (in the best way). Repetition plays a large role in this album and I am not mad about it. That is what gives it its meditative quality. Some songs sound like the same string is being plucked over and over and over on the guitar but for some reason it isn't annoying. I did find myself starting to lose interest in the later songs because it is a decently long album, but I think had I started this album in the middle I would have enjoyed them as much as the first songs. It's just not easy to digest in one sitting. Generally though I liked every song and would love to hear them again.
Au début j'ai aimé mais après je m'en suis lassée
Fun afro pop
Excellent guitar work, but the chanting definitely became a bit much after a while. The first 8 songs that were on the original album were the best. Enjoyed the African vibes throughout.
I have never heard this before and I truly enjoyed it. The artist has a very interesting story as does the history of music in Senegal.
2.5
This one is not for me. I actually like the sound, and almost all of the tracks, but why in the world are they so long? Nothing evolves... The sound at the start of a track will be the sound at the end of the track.
Sudanese Dispatch/Grateful dead
This is what I came here for. Absolutely beautiful. Sounds totally fresh.
What an awful racket. Truly, truly awful. No thanyou very much - not sure how this rvrn got on the list.
Exceedingly pleasant and begging for me to spend more time with it.
Música africana. Me ha aburrido, bastante rollo. Un 2.
It was certainly a journey - an incredibly unique one. All in all I think the good balances out with the fact that I’ve never really heard much like it
I thought this was pretty great. Easily lost in the music, the driving percussion and slices of field recordings, the dueling rhythms created by the 2 guitars seemingly slipping in and out of sync, and the hypnotic impassioned vocal performances—as much a history, for me, of Senegalese music as a melding with modern recording techniques of the era. I thought it was a little long until I found out the last 4 tracks on Spotify were only added with the re-release. This would be amazing to see live.
Well shit. This is so, SO good. We had a 1993 Baaba Maal album a few months ago, and this is a clear precursor to that one’s high-tech, larger-than-life jams. This one, I feel like it was just tracked by great musicians in a room together. And it’s SO compelling. I can’t get over how expressive Baaba Maal’s voice is. I wish I could understand the language, but even without it it’s just arresting. Let’s talk groove, though… this grooves like NOTHING else. This is some crazy shit!! “Muudo Hormo,” that is my favorite track of the entire year so far. So sly. It starts in this totally pretty, folk pastoral, style, and gradually speeds until it’s this infectious JAM. I was dancing all over my house listening to this. Couldn’t stop. Even now as I’m listening to it a fourth time. It just has this sweet, beautiful, yet joyful quality. I can’t remember the last time a song compelled me to dance so JOYFULLY. This is a beautiful thing. Do I detect a tiny hint of prog influence? Just in the way some of the guitars are played, recorded. Those super bright DI acoustics, we call that sound “cheap” in America. I’m starting to really, really like it. I don’t mind the long runtime at all! The bonus tracks were some of my favorites. Really, that balafon player should win an award. It’s criminal that this music is so overlooked here in America. I want to go to the places where it’s celebrated, where it’s danced to. 5/5
Too weird for me
I found it very calming with its repetitive sounds and chants. I’m glad I was introduced to this album through this project. I enjoyed it.
This album sucks. I honestly tried, but this doesn’t have the heart and excitement of a Fela Kuti outing. And that has become my gold standard for international records. Sorry Baaba, but we’re just not compatible, you and I.
So unique, very good fun
Perfectly fine for the most part. But I guess I couldn’t get a wrangle on what made it great. As an outsider it felt like one long song stretched across the entire record. Nothing was specifically bad but I can’t see myself ever listening again. 2.5/5
Liked it (except one song.) Would have liked it even more if I could have understood the lyrics. Never would’ve heard of this without the 1001 list, it worked again. (2.3*s)
I finally feel like this is what 1001 is for as it's pretty unlikely I would have heard this album otherwise. I really liked it, like a lot. Great listen all the way through. Worldly, tribal, traditional, chanting, energetic, relaxing, it has it all. The songs are beautiful and the whole project is mesmerizing. Check out Tinariwen if you're into this.
Only 1001 will bring this to me and I thank the list. Been starving for some worldly music that I never would have come across otherwise. I was hypnotized by the music on my drive home. Baabal fits in nicely with the rhythmic lull of Mansour's strumming. I do think that Mansour carries this album but I can't really say without giving other Maal works a listen yet. I enjoyed side A more than B but good one overall.
What a unique pleasant treat. Easily the most surprising listen thus far. Didn't expect to enjoy this nearly as much as I did. Can't say I've ever been exposed to Senegalese music to my knowledge before. I wish have could have understood the lyrics. Even despite the barrier the songs are all relatively enjoyable. 2.8 stars
Ok background music but nothing that excites me.
It's perfectly listenable, I understand about the same amount of lyrics as when I listen to music in English, but it still didn't work for me. Neither as background music - too annoying for that, nor as regular music - too repetitive. And yes, I would still prefer to have more albums like this on the list
Everything just blends together after a while
Honestly this dragged on so long I just stopped listening. It was fine as a passive listen, but not as an active one.
Man this was fun. Outside the normal scope of albums I get. Just good chill vibes. Love the arrangements of not often heard instruments.
Loved it! Unique sound. Great rhythms. I’m a sucker for albums that aren’t in English
Extraordinarily beautiful. I loved the melodies, harmonies, instrumentation all the way through. Spotify calls Baaba Maal an "epic storyteller" making me regret that I don't understand the lyrics.
Pretty good
Aí, sim, a lista me ajudou a conhecer música nova e prosseguir escutando mais discos africanos.
Not my thing. To slow and same sounding. I respect it but wont listen to it again. 4/10
"Pretty" music but the voice is unbearable. That twangy whine that Indian and Middle Eastern music often has is just grating to me.
1989, Senegalese music As world music goes, it isn't bad. Not something I'd listen much to in the future but I am glad I got the chance to hear it. The music is much better than the voice.... 3/5
Pretty good world music. I would listen to this again. Very chilled out.
Enjoyable but I didn’t notice when it ended.
Another Baab Maal album within one week, low chances! I liked this way more than the Lam Toro one. This was much more interesting, and each song differed more from each other. I found some songs that I thought was decent. Solid 3 from me!
Second Baaba Maal album in a week, figures! I thought this was an ok listen as background music. It's a bit long but it was nice to listen to while working. It was cool but nothing special for me personally. A weak 3.
Beautiful guitar interplay and vocals. Another album/musician on buy list, thanks to this site. :-)
Hørte bare litt men det var jo kult
A wonderful and magically fun album that hits all the right spots when needed, but FUCK is it long. Yes it is. 4/5
Shoutout Senegal but my Western mind can not comprehend the length of this project.
instrumentals were nice but i couldn't get past the vocals
would be better without the singing.
This is a really cool, expansive, worldly album that could be a great introduction to non-western music for new listeners. It's just not my cup of tea. The repetition wares me down after a while. And that's just personal preference. I like changes in music, and this tends to stay pretty stagnant throughout. That said, I really dug the guitar work throughout, and would absolutely vibe to this on a chill night around a fire with some friends.
I love records like this for their ability to transport the listener and transform even the most mundane of life’s experiences.
It was ok, but not great. I actually like the meditative repetitive aspect to the music. But I've heard other albums and artists from west Africa that seemed more engaging to me
Beautiful production, singing, and musicianship. Hard to suggest repeat listening.wuth repetitive nature if songs.
not something i would ever listen to on my own, but it was an interesting listen
This album sounds really clean and modern despite being recorded in 1984. I love the way the guitars sound on this album. My only complaint is that it goes on for a little too long, but it is great background music.
This album is really well recorded and features some talented guitar music and vocals that sound like a very good muezzin - which, to be clear, is a compliment, as I've always thought that muezzins sounded really cool. I don't know enough about this style of music to really say much more other than that I enjoyed listening to it, but probably won't listen again.
One of the things that this list has given me a lot more appreciation for is the incredible quality of some of the music coming out of Africa. This album is no exception. The songs are all well-crafted, with great instrumentals and vocals. It reminded me of Songhoy Blues in a lot of ways, and I would not be surprised to learn that Djam Leelii was a big influence on them 4/5
This just wasn't very special to me. It sounded droning and monotonous, and the guitar was usually out of tune to my ears. If I understood the language, maybe I'd have gotten more out of it, but this wasn't even enjoyable as background music.
Those first few bars had me. I love this type of sound - not quite desert blues in the Ali Farka Toure mode, but pretty close in places. That guitar and then when the kora kicks in (yes, that's not all guitar you know...) This might be better in its original eight track package (although Kettodee is one of my favourite tracks). But it's pretty darned good anyway. I must have first heard Baaba Male on the old Andy Kershaw world music show on Radio 3. Not that it was really world music - just whatever Andy felt like playing really. Miss that show; there's not really been anything like it since and it made Sunday nights special. Tossing up between a 4 and a 5. Assume the shorter, eight track version and then add a point for not being in English anyway and it's a 5 from me. More non-English music please.
Didn’t understand a word of it but surprisingly liked this album. Lots of catchy songs
I liked the music quite a bit, but the album was way too long
Solid background music. Would never have known about this but I found it enjoyable and unique. Felt a bit long/overstayed its welcome a bit however.
Sounded fine! Nothing really connected with me. I didn't mind it at all, but I don't plan to return to it ever.
Boring African guitar music with whiny voice
Not my jam but what a jam
The singers voice was very nice but not at all my style of music
For me it was ok for background music.
Lam Tooro 3.2 Loodo 3 Muudo Hormo 3 Salminanam 3 Maacina Tooro 3 Djam Leelii 3.1 Bibbe Leydy 3 Sehilam 3.1 Kettojee 3 Ko Wone Mayo 2.9 Daane Lenol 3 Taara 3 3.025
The description says he is a storytelling musician and i can feel a bit of blues influence which is a story driven music style... Unfortually i don't understand a word that's being sung so i can only review the music which is really nice to have in the background. It really transports you to another place.
A pleasant surprise. Nice and relaxing listen 3/5
Fun to hear new music, wish it wasn’t so long and repetitive tho.
01) Lam Tooro - 6,5 02) Loodo - 6,5 03) Muudo Hormo - 6,5 04) Salminanam - 7,0 05) Maacina Tooro - 6,5 06) Djam Leelii - 7,0 07) Bibbe Leydy - 6,0 08) Sehilam - 6,0 09) Kettodee - 6,5 10) Ko Wone Mayo - 6,5 11) Daande Lenol - 6,0 12) Taara - 5,5 TOTAL: 6,38 (64/100) I like it when non-English language artist appears because there IS good music and there are good albums outside of the English speaking world. This one is a very pleasant ambient music with some nice guitar playing. It makes a great background music while working or driving. After a few songs it tends to get a bit repetitive, but it's still a nice listen.
No esperaba escuchar en mi vida música de Senegal
Estaba bien, quizá nunca más lo vuelva a escuchar gracias 1001albumsgenerator
It's easy to listen too and get into a trance.
amazing
Bastante rollo. Pero me ha gustado una canción, Kettodee. Así que se libra del 1.
Extremely relaxing, almost hypnotic. You could meditate to this.
My favorite part was when there was no singing.
im darth maul
This list needs more anglo centrism.
The perfect music for coming home late after a flight 🙏 Very enjoyable
Mega chill
Loved the guitar in this
A very unique fusion piece that blends traditional Senegalese music with some western flavors, pulling instruments from both. The album features clean and snappy guitar riffing, traditional percussion elements, and piercing vocals, mixed into long, droning, sometimes pulsating tracks. It can be tough for the western mind to step outside of our musical normality and appreciate other approaches to melody, rhythm, phrasing, and instrumentation, so I challenged myself to enjoy the album as intended by the musicians, not as I wanted to hear as a typical American music listener. I appreciated the artists’ exploration of genres and the novelty of folk influences I had not heard before, but by the end of the album I was also ready to be done. I think listening to the original 8-track release (instead of the 12-track remaster on Spotify) would have been a gentler introduction to Maal and Seck. Stand out tracks include “Muudo Hormo” and “Djam Leelii”.
Yeah, could have gone my life without listening to this one. 2 for effort.
Can't dig this at all
Brilliant. Exactly what I am looking for from this list. An album that I should have listened to before.
Some fresh sounds and quite the diverse catalog from baaba Maal. fun listen.
1. lam toro - 0 2. lodo - 0 3. mudo - 1 4. zalminam - 0 5. macina - 0 6. djam - 0 7. bibe - 1 8. zehilam - 1 9. ketodee- 1 10. mayo - 1.5 11. lenol - 1 12. taara - 1
Ik kon niet echt wennen aan de stemmen/taal
Prachtige unieke Afrikaanse muziek. Erg jammer dat elk nummer nagenoeg hetzelfde was. Dat haalde de jeu er voor mij af. Dan is 1u 12 min wel lang
Eigenlijk best wel geinig om naar luisteren. Zeker niet onprettig. Eigenaardige melodieën hier en daar. Kende het nog niet maar wel de moeite waard om te luisteren
I can appreciate it but I will probably never listen to it again. Glad I did though
Another choice really off the mainstream. Probably not something I'd seek out but not a bad listen.
I'm certainly no expert on Senegalese music, so it's hard for me to judge this. To my ears, it sounds fine, but it doesn't really seem like anything that special or unique. Sort of goes in one ear and out the other. 3 stars.
Dope album
Hmmm… Like a bit of this music…
Not for me
talented musician, but not my cup of tea
Im about to travel to Senegal if the music is this fire. This was a neat listen! It’s like a look into a different culture in a way. It’s a fun listen, even if it may sound repetitive. But I don’t have a problem with that. The vocals make the instrumentals better than they already were. This one’s cool! Nice playing and all. Felt like I could appreciate more if I understood him though.
I had never heard of these artists or this album but I do like venturing into international music. It could be a bit repetitive at times but I did enjoy it. Nice cultural experience.
I had heard of Baaba Maal but can't say that I had heard anything he had done outside of the Black Panther movies. I feel like he's the first one on this list for me that I actually knew about but had never listened to. So I sort of knew what to expect with this album. It's very interesting to me to hear an artist from West Africa who was influenced by American blues, jazz, soul, and R&B which were all really based on African music in the first place. I enjoyed this album and would definitely listen to it again if I was in the right mood.
Mildly entertaining and quite repetitive. I think I liked it, but not totally sure. I’ve heard of Baaba Maal before so I assume he’s a pillar of African music. Three stars.
Kindof repetitive and while all the songs are different they blend in together. It was a little long for me. 2 stars
I'm surprised to see Baaba Maal on the list again after having listened to Lam Toro. Is his work truly prevalent enough to warrant multiple entries? If we're to compare the two, i prefer Djam Leelii to Lam Toro, but dear lord do both drag on.
Well, this is one that I didn't expect to be able to get through but I did and I'm glad I did.
Incredible album!
Baaba Maal er bara drullugóður. Rosalega notaleg tónlist.
fun facts! Senegal is home to: - a tiny car-free island made from seashells; - seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites; - Africa’s tallest statue; - rivers with killer hippopotamuses; - a pink lake. There has been work done to build a "Great Green Wall" from Senegal's capital, Dakar, to Djibouti, Djibouti. The wall is made of trees and meant to hold back expansion of the Sahara.
It ain't awful but neither is it anything special. I just felt very underwhelmed by this album as it had nothing really punching it to be that good. Felt like the same song for the whole album and not in a good way.
Another one that I didn't realize was over until much later. It's good. Not my cup, but still worth a listen.
the songs are repetitive and pretty much sound the same, and with that, the album is long. i will say that the instrumentals are really nice and sound beautiful. the music is relaxing and atmospheric, but i’m not a fan of the vocals. not the kind of album i’d listen to
Pretty good but not my thing. Was cool to read what he broke through to get where he is and what he’s done outside of that
a unique and somewhat soporific album. far too lengthy and unfocused/meandering to really stand out, but it makes for an interesting listen nevertheless.
Not bad, but not something that is quite my taste
Ungewohnt, gemütlich, gute Musiker
I feel like saying “this album is unlistenable” is pretty racist because I don’t understand a damn word😂 but I did not listen through every song nor will I ever😆 I do love Baaba Maal when he’s featured on Mumford and sons tho!
Noise.
Only listened to the 8 first tracks as the 4 remaining were part of a reissue and I did not feel like listening to more. Creative guitar work and interesting rhythm but man that is an annoying voice. Might just be cultural dissonance, but I never had a problem with the backup singers. Liked track 6 and 8 more than the rest.
sorry i didn’t like it
Delightful. I have a soft spot for guitar centric albums that do interesting things with music from different parts of the world. If you like this album then I recommend you also check out the album In the Heart of the Moon by Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté.
Now here is an album that I would never think to seek out myself, and I really enjoyed it. I wish the songs weren’t quite as long and repetitive, though I understand that’s (probably?) part of the Senegalese tradition. If it were half as long it would most likely get more than 3 stars. Definitely worth a listen though, unlike some of the other albums I’ve given this rating.
This was a nice listen, but a little long and boring.
I like this. It's very enjoyable. But it doesn't stand out as an album I need to hear before I die. 3.25 stars.
Another vibe.
Kinda like African Led Zeppelin in moments. Maacino Tooro is cool 😎. Wish there were more shredders/rockers Zamrock style. EEEEeeeeee-yahhhhAhahAhah Good music for working
Pleasant enough, but overall boring. Not my style.
Interresting but not for me
The music is interesting and intriguing and I really enjoy it but I do not enjoy the vocals. I'm sure it's a cultural thing but that tone is grating to my ears.
West African folk music. Lots of interesting strings. Quiet nice!
Started off quite hopeful, with the first track sounding like a mixture between folk and world music in an interesting way. But before long it had descended into hand clapping and repetitive noises that became progressively more and more dull. I realised that I could skip the last four tracks, as they weren't part of the original recording, and by the time I was through the first half a dozen tracks I was done anyway. I listened to this on YouTube and I noticed that every song has almost an identical structure, given away by the sound shape below the video; introduction, mumbling and guitar with drums and other stuff, slowly getting more and more subdued, until a crescendo at the end to finish. Rinse and repeat, and with the language barrier all the tracks started to sound identical too. Disappointing 2 stars, but then I don't have any love for world music, so I suppose it's no real surprise.
Production is good. It sounds mysterious, but it's too repetitive for me. The songs are way too long and the riffs are very short.
There are some great melodic/instrumental hooks in these pieces, but they're hardly developed and it's easy to lose interest after the first three or so minutes of each track. And, given the five-plus-minute average length of the tracks, almost half the runtime is spent wishing the song would progress to something a little more engaging. I'm glad I listened to this album, but it's a bit too tedious for a relisten. The opening track was a highlight, if only because I didn't yet realise how thematically repetitive the future tracks would continue to be. Cool singing voice. I was a little worried I'd tire quickly of it, but I actually really enjoyed the vocals, especially when they were harmonised. 2/5
Dislike. I’ve never really liked foreign language songs because I generally want to be able to understand the lyrics. Aside from that it still wasn’t my style of music.
It was alright but I wouldn’t revisit again.
It's good music to have in the background while you work. But in this specific genre of background music, much better exists.
From a cultural perspective this might be quite interesting, but this Senegalese music is just not my taste. Interesting for once, but I won't listen to this again.
This is um…….interesting
Pleasant to listen to, but also easy to forget
I love blends of west african music with western pop music and for that I can appreciate this. However, this being (to my ears) purely African music kept it a bit boring for me. Was nice background music for reading a book but won't listen to this again.
3 1/2 *** interesting music!
Enjoyable to listen to, and definitely not something I'm used to. However it all felt too long, both the songs and the album itself.
so beautiful
Beyond bad. ZERO STARS
repetitive but not redundant… hypnotic but in a good way. not sure what any of the lyrics are (they are all in a foreign language), but the singing sounds almost like another instrument. an interesting listen, for sure.
This was rather pleasant.
This was about as weird as I figured it would be.
Was a little hard to get in to this one at work. Gonna have to give it another shot at a later time. I dug it, but it requires some serious listening that I couldn't give.
Obligatory comment about how difficult it is to truly relate to music like this due to the language barrier. With that being said, the instrumentation here is really cool. The African derivation of the instruments is blindingly obvious, but there are also several Western influences, specifically rock, that elevate the feel to be very interesting. I enjoyed the listen despite the high likelihood of not spending much more time with it.
Great find from Senegal.
what a cool album! djam leelii is an album that's unique in this project, and i so appreciate the senegalese inclusion. i'm glad i had the opportunity to listen to this album. a mark of a good album is when it's beautiful even when the lyrics are in a foreign language. sure, the vocals add something to the album, but because i'm not focusing on the lyrics (because there's no way i could understand them!), i'm able to focus more on the music. using instruments like the kora or balafon set this album apart, too.
A fantastic inclusion, and a type of African music that I was not at all aware of. It feels very ethereal, atmospheric, and spiritual, and sounds heavily inspired by Eastern music, which was quite the awesome mix to hear! The guitar work here is really relaxing, while the percussion stirs something almost tribal and ritualistic into the music, lending itself to the spiritual sound. Definitely a great addition of something I would otherwise probably never stumbled across!
Weird
just wasn't for me. Fine musically, but not something I would ever listen to.
I like West African guitar music.
Nope
I can see the appeal, but not really for me.
I liked it, haven't heard anything in that length before, just bits and pieces.
Weird, a bit too long. I like listening to other cultures music but personally it wasn’t to my taste.
Perfectly listenable, although I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to it
My musical vocabulary isn’t sophisticated enough to rate this properly. I do know musicians were excellent and the rhythms outstanding but it was an album I respected more then I loved.
1.5/5
i listened to this while cleaning the house and doing various chores and it feels like a spa. very nice vibes, calm but interesting enough to just listen to... i did feel like it got a bit tiring after a while though. would be cool if i knew what they were singing about!!
i listened to this like five times while writing and it was perfect background music. very soothing but a couple of the songs are legitimate bangers as well
Wish I could've found lyrics for more than one song, especially since it seems like songwriting is a big part of the artist's reputation! Really hypnotic and enjoyable music to have on while working- the singing and repetitive guitar consistently work together really beautifully. Makes me want to learn more about Senegalese music!
A pleasant moment but not my thing to jam out
Robert Christgau describes this album as “background music with soul”. Forgive me, but I’d prefer soulless main character theme songs.
2.5 If there was an instrumental version of the album, I'd give it a 4/5...
Yeah didn’t quite understand this one. Alright welp moving on. 1.0/10
Quite liked this one, it's always a little hit and miss with the world music suggestions on this list but this was pretty groovy. I would have guessed it was of African/Arabian origin so the fact Baaba Maal is Senegalese fits with that.
A nice, calming listen late at night. Nice guitar, good occasionally electric fuzz. Newage African chillout.
I don't think I've listened to enough music from around the world to fully appreciate this one, Senegalese musicians Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck have really made something I haven't really heard before. The guitaring in this was really the highlight for me. I don't understand the lyrics, so I can't really say too much about that. For me, I just let the vocals be another instrument, and enjoyed the experience. There are influences of Blues and Jazz here but I can't help but wonder how these songs if an Electronic artist added something here, like a sick beat would really elevate these songs. This will have to be an album I come back to when I understand world music a little better. Standouts: Muudo Hormo, Salminanam, Bibbe Leydy, Sehilam
Felt like an Adventurer when I listened to this. It was alright, but have to be in the right Muudo for this.
It's nice enough and made with enough skill, it's just not my thing at all.
Nice guitar, but repetitive
Sengalese folk music
Solid album of world music in the broadest sense, can't say I'm to psyched by it, but it is by no means bad.
I think this might finally be the album that broke my enjoyment of African albums on this list. It started out great with music in exile but since then no other album has lived up to/surpassed it and I finally felt totally fatigued by the genre with this one. It isn't objectively bad but it was just miserable for me to sit through another 70 minutes of similar sounding music even if the production was alright.
This was a bit odd and to be honest the album cover freaked me out.
Liked this a lot, there's something hypnotic and chilled about it that works for me
Reminds of me of WOMAD. I don't have the cultural knowledge to appreciate this properly, maybe. Or maybe I just need to listen in the right environment.
Afro-Islamic transcendent vibes baby! Shame it felt far too long, I got bored after 30 mins. 2.5
Some nice tunes
All of the best folk music (in my opinion) invites the audience to participate even if it's just with feeling the groove. This has that in spades. I'm not familiar enough with Sangalese music to properly rate the quality of this offering but it seems very good. I finished the entire album on a rare day I was home alone (wife took the older boys the store and the baby was napping). The repetitive rhythms became hypnotic as I was folding laundry and doing other chores. Made the time move by very fast. I'm interested in coming back to this one. Going with a 4 because I don't see myself putting this on regular rotation or highly recommending it to others but it was a very good listen.
Lame
Incredibly difficult listen. In my opinion, it's pretty ridiculous to include albums like this, that fit outside the constructs of western music on a list like this. I think if it were a list of songs - it would be much more appropriate. But for a listener growing up with an ethnocentric (using my anthropology classes here) view of pop music, it's ridiculous to expect someone to connect with over an hours worth of music such as this. I have incredibly limited knowledge of West Africa and their music, don't understand the language, and overall lack any context whatsoever of the content of this album. To try and look at this record in a positive light, I will say that it is amusing to me that I can confidently say I'm "familiar with" a West African record from the 80s, and will now recognize the name Baaba Maal. But with all that being said, a song or two would have sufficed. I don't need 80 minutes of material for that to be true.
Amazing!!
Other than being “different” I cannot understand why this album is here
7/10. I liked it, didn't have a lot of specific thoughts on it, though.
It was pretty long but honestly not too bad over its length. Felt a lot better than some of the other droning world albums we’ve had recently. 6/10
Interesting and different, didn't really catch my interest though
Really nice album, would never have thought to listen to it otherwise.
Nice guitar playing, nice vibe
not bad
I'm glad this is on here for the exposure alone. The music is transportive and brings forth world music that is often too underrepresented. The way they play and the emotion that comes out of this album is not to be underappreciated. That being said, it is a bit long winded The long song time, similarity of many songs, and simplicity of the instrumentation can cause too much of this to blend together after listening.
Not a fan
Enjoyable soulful vibes of which I have no idea
How anyone can give this sort of shit 5* is beyond me but I imagine it makes them feel more virtuous than the average person.
Decent world.music album
I tried and it was fine for a bit then it got a bit repetitive
Very melodic and hypnotic songs based around repeated guitar patterns. Quite enjoyable to listen to, although this is a lengthy album and hard to sustain interest across all 12 tracks
Great to hear something fresh!
I like the atmospheric sound it generates. Almost sounds like something out of the Civilization games. Clearly this is a deeply cultural music genre, but the album is just not good. The tracks are repetitive and the singer's voice is monotonous. There don't seem to be any sparks of creativity or invention. I got bored after the third song. Also, why is it an HOUR long? Insane. Not good.
Oh, more crappy "world music" Have fun pretending that this is good. Be sure to bring this up at your next vegan pot luck fundraiser for some fruity cause. I'm sure you'll be a hit and everyone will think you're so worldly and wonderful.
Not really my kind of music
Very relaxing and unique. Glad this one was on apple music! Reminded me of some of the musical sounds from Black Panther.
Great album! A lot of departures to Asia/Africa in the last few weeks, and this one is near the top for me. Some fantastic guitar work, blended with what I assume are more traditional Senegalese sounds and styles. Plenty of excellent tracks to get lost in. Definitely a great boost to the week with this one! Favorite tracks: Muudo Hormo, Djam Leelii, Sehilam, Ko Wone Mayo, Taara. Album art: An interesting collage of some washed-out color blocks, and a picture of a man that's made to look pretty ghostly. Is that one of the artists? No idea, but this is a cool one to look at. 4/5
I did it. Not sure how much I'll come back to it I guess, but it was a perfectly enjoyable listen. Solid 4 for now.
Crafts an atmosphere. One it can’t maintain for the somewhat bloated runtime. Having said that the instrumentation, in particular the drums, are stunning. A nice mix of some western influences from the Senegalese legend.
Always up for exploring new international genres, but man is this LP long. The sparse instrumentation does no favors when the runtime stretches out over an hour, the initial novelty wearing off quick as each track sounds quite similar.
not gonna happen
Don't what to expect here... Sounds like experimental guitar. Some Senegalese singing. Hmmm... We'll see how long I can last with this one. At times it reminds me of this song from The Natural Born Killers. Taboo. Yeah couldn't hang. Sorry Baaba and Mansour
SENEGAL!!! alussa luulee että intiaa..mutta ei... liian hyvä äänenlaatu.. these mfkers speak WOLOF.... wolofphones... top 20 jalkapallomaa... kakkostiimi AINA..AINA mm kupissa... espanja ykkönen...dogshit team...senegal kantaa.. nelosta olin antamassa mutta on vitosta annettu paskemmille albumeille (rodeohead) ja 2.77 average heh. average rating heh.... pistää niin vitun vihaksi.. tai pistäisi jos kiinnostaisi... meikä olen parempi ihiminen, ei tarvitse katella tommosia... parempi ihminen tietää objektiivisuuden. käsittämätön ääniskeippi... sielu uppoaa aavaan kitarahyrskyyn... pistää transsiin.. olisi uskomaton juna musiikki... maacina toro
Senegalesischer mäßig interessant klingender Singer-Song-Writer.
Pretty chill music by itself, but I feel no connection to this type of music as I have no African roots. I think it’s cool they got a proper chance to record their songs and bring it to the masses! 6,5 out of 10
Nice sound
Not my cup of tea
Great African music. The vibe is perfect here
somm diferente e tals, senegales, mas meio repetitivo
Very well made but not really my kinda thing personally
Once the album hit the 50-minute mark, I was getting a little tired. But the first half was ethereal, and the second half brought a ton of energy. And I can't give anything below a 4 to an album that I would inject half of into my soul.
What a nice and relaxing listen
Perfect music for a Friday morning The repetition did start to get to me a bit by the end though Favourite tracks: Lam Tooro, Muudo Hormo, Salminanam
Much liked this album in the early 90s when it was a big hit. Now it is a bit too boring to listen to in one go but the couple of fast songs are still great.
In general, I quite like the sound of music from West African countries like Senegal and Mali, and this album is no exception. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped, because the music was a little too repetitive and the vocals got a bit annoying at times.
The voice is annoying, beneath it a gentle, repetitive sound.
Sorry, can't listen to this.
Such a diverse sounding album. Some songs sound as I would expect an African music album, some sounded Brazilian or Latin of some sort, and some sounded like modern rock and pop beats. Some songs were very meditative, and the recording quality is good enough to soak up all the diverse interesting sounds, only wish I knew what he was singing.
I love to explore world music but this is a bit too much even for me
Cool blend. Kind of medieval-tavern feeling instrumentation with traditional African vocals
1.5
No.
This starts off nice enough with some repeating guitar patterns and world-music vibes, but gets old fast. Still worthy addition to this list. 2.5/5
Never heard of this album or artist before, and the music style itself is something I dont hear often (even in New York!). I like it. 4/5
I like the instrumentation, the xylophones as a counterbalance to the guitars. I think that works really well. But the vocals. I never liked that kind of style, it took me a while to get used to a few artists I like who use it in a song or two. A whole album gets tedious for me. I am glad I listened to it, it was a nice change of pace. But the vocals get tiresome to me.
The dueling guitars are awesome, particularly on the first song Lam Tooro. I absolutely loved that song from the first few plucks; the vocals fit so well, they just hum alongside the instruments. But honestly I was a bit disappointed the rest of the album didn't consistently live up to that standard. It's all melodic, even hypnotic, but the other songs didn't feel as fresh or unique by the time I got to the end of the album. I did listen to the album many times though and other standouts that really pricked up my ears were Salminanam, Sehilam, Kettojee, and Ko Wone Mayo. All in all, this was a cool album and one of those I never would've listened to otherwise but am glad I did. Almost went with a 4.
Sounds nice, no idea what they're saying. I like the guitars and the singing's fine, I just doubt I will ever go out of my way to listen again. Tracks that caught my attention: Djam Leeli, Sehalam, Daana Lenol.
Really interesting, I dig it
not bad as background music but i bet i will never listen to think about this album ever again
Very relaxing listen. Not my thing to listen to again, but it's melodies were soothing to listen to.
There is something so hypnotic about this album, a steadiness to the rhythm and voices. Wholly different than the other Baaba Maal album we got a few days ago, but equally interesting and appreciated.
Very droning and mesmerizing. Missing a key feature, but overall good.